Lana is undoubtedly the queen of the school, since she has forged keys to most of the school's doors.
She hosts the party in a locked basement room, where the elite group usually has meetings in the middle of the night. Each member superimposes a mask on his or her head, so Jin and Joseph, upon crossing the threshold of the door, are immediately given ornate face coverings as new participants.
Scott looks delighted as he puts on the red devil mask. His roommate does not share this enthusiasm, thinking that this elite group is some kind of mockery. He decides to join there just because he feels like making Lana's life miserable, since he considers himself the navel of the world.
— At the very beginning, let's welcome our lovely freshmen. — Sitting on a throne-like chair, a blonde woman lifts a glass filled with champagne. — You have been chosen, so feel honored.
— I'm boasting like an ass during a plowshare — mutters Jin under his breath, sniffing the contents of the glass he's been given. His face expresses amusement when he recognizes from the smell that it's carbonated orangeade.
— Loosen up a bit if you want to stay here. — Joseph jabs his roommate in the side with his elbow, making him realize that they are being watched the whole time.
— So what? Now we're in for a shake-up? — asks Jin loudly, ignoring the piercing gaze of the senior members of the elite group.
The 18-year-old approaches the freshman and puts her hand on his shoulder.
— We are an elite group, so we don't waste our time with simple games.
— Simple games, you say? And bullying weaker students isn't simpering fun?
This bite is surprising to her.
— What kind of bullying are you talking about? — Her sweet voice drives him crazy.
— So explain to me what this elite group is, if not in the business of making life miserable for the weakest at Horace Mann?
— The Kingdom, which has been responsible for this school for a dozen years. With the resignation of the Queen, the fight for her place begins.
— A kingdom that in your sick mind has the notion of humiliating others? So what? You call these weak people plebs who need to be eliminated to cleanse the school walls?
The mask that the blonde has put on her face reveals her lips, which are stretching in a smile.
— You're the only one who figured it out right away, that's why I like you.
She turns her back on him and walks away, and the other attendees pour a furious look at Jin.
— Shut up if you would rather not fly out of here after the first meeting. — Joseph is angry with his roommate for his inappropriate behavior toward Lana.
— Apparently there's no escape from here, so I think I'm already in this shit up to my ears.
The red lights that illuminate the interior are overwhelming and cause drowsiness. Jin has had enough after several minutes, but he has to stay there until the end, since the door is locked and only Lana can open it.
— And now it's time for our favorite snack.... something you look forward to during every meeting.
In addition to the freshmen, the other members of the group approach her. Jin, and Joseph, watch as the older students tear the papers and pour the effervescent powder into their mouths.
Tapping her heels on the floor, Lana approaches them and hands them small strawberry-flavored packets.
— Enjoy.
Jin eyed it in his hands, being distrustful, even though it says it's dissolvable orangeade.
— All my childhood — declares Joseph, tilting the powder into his mouth — heaven in my mouth.
Jin doesn't intend to eat it, but he feels Lana's intense gaze on him, so he tears the paper and pretends in front of her to pour the entire contents into his mouth. He puts the packet in his pants pocket, wanting to see if the others will behave the same way.
He doesn't trust this girl, and is convinced that this elite group is more than a clandestine meeting of popular students.
His intuition does not fail him.
He sits in a chair, watching the students pull the masks off their faces. They seemingly behave the same way; they are calm and talk among themselves, but there is something disturbing about them. This is most evident from Joseph, who has been looking, at one point for a long time, being absent-minded.
Only the appearance of Halsey in front of him, who waves her hand in front of his face while smiling radiantly, sends him back to earth.
— I hope I won't make you dodgeballs now — she puzzles him, wanting to get closer to him.
— No pain is terrible to me — he answers her, reciprocating the smile.
Jin shifts his gaze to Lana, who, sitting on the throne, is humming some tune. The 16-year-old gets up from his chair and goes to her intending to poison her life; however, his plans are spoiled by the phone, which the 18-year-old answers and switches to speakerphones.
— Say hello to the founder of the elite group. He probably has a lot to tell you.
The boy crinkles his eyebrows, wondering what's up.
— Welcome. I am pleased to welcome the new members of this wonderful group. — The voice is mutated, so you can't guess whether it's a man or a woman. — I'm glad to see that despite so many years, the group is still active and is gaining new and incredible people in its ranks with each passing year.
Jin briefly shifts his gaze to Joseph, who giggles in Halsey's company. He acts as if he is not himself.
He's had time to get to know him, and he's hardly the flirty type.
— Horace Mann is yours. You are the ones with the power in your hands. You can control others like puppets. — There is a happy smile on Lana's face. These words are probably an inspiration to her. — Therefore, also this year does something crazy.... Don't let this group disappear. I'm counting on you.
The blonde ends the call, looking at everyone with shining eyes.
— As you have heard.... this year we are to do something crazy. The one who is the most original will take over my place from next September. I'm issuing a challenge. You have a whole school year ahead of you....
Jin shakes his head, thinking this is some kind of absurdity. He does not intend to take part in this sick game. He regrets that he decided to join here at all.
— Your health. — Lana lifts her glass up, looking Jin in the eyes. — May this year be better than the rest.
*
That night, Danielle couldn't sleep a wink, so she gets out of bed early in the morning and leaves the house. She's not in the mood, so she's not smiling to meet her mother.
It's six o'clock in the morning, and at this hour on Sunday the streets are practically empty.
Wearing an unbuttoned leather jacket, the fourteen-year-old strolls along the sidewalk, yet she is not alone, as a phantom accompanies her.
— Your boy is pretty badass at Horace Mann. Yesterday he joined an elite group that bullies weaker students.
— He gives me sermons on inappropriate behavior, and he does the same thing. We are no different, and he still calls me a child. — The teenager snorts under her breath. — Don't let her think she'll chase me away this way.
A passing woman looks with concerned eyes at Danielle when she hears the girl talking to herself.
— What are you going to do? Why don't you drop by there and make a bit of a fuss?
— I'd love to visit him — she says through clenched teeth. From her jacket pocket, she pulls out the money she took from her mother's wallet. — But first I'll jump for some bread rolls because I'm starving.
— In my day, they would have cut off your hand for stealing.
Danielle shifts her gaze to the ghost and crinkles her eyebrows.
— You are my biological mother, shouldn't you rebuke me?
— I'm dead, so it's not my duty.
The 14-year-old shrugs her shoulders.
— Clearly, you were a cobra on the loose. It's a shame that you died, and I ended up in the hands of a diabolical woman.
The phantom smiles half-heartedly.
— I really like you, Danielle. Bad people have a special place in my heart.
— And what are you lying about? You are dead, so you have no heart.
This generation of the cursed family, makes the demon have the most fun. He has grown so fond of Danielle that he is incapable of hurting her.
— You are my favorite, so remember that I will always protect you. No matter what happens, you will live to a ripe old age.
The teenager looks pleased.
— So I can do whatever I openly like, and you will protect me?
— Do the cruelest crimes, and you have my word that nothing will happen to you. I will always direct you to the right path....
— If you say so. — She shrugs her shoulders, and her attention is caught by "Subway". — In that case, I'm going to go eat, and since you don't want your saliva to fly, see you.
She goes inside, and the phantom disappears, letting her rest her eyes.
*
It's an exaggeration to show up at his place before school at eight in the morning, but she has no intention of going home and listening to her mother's resentment for another day in a row. Sitting on a bench, he smiles radiantly and nods to Jin in greeting.
The sleep-deprived 16-year-old sits down next to her, furious that she dragged him out of bed at such an early hour.
— Is it raining on your head, Danielle? I went to bed late, it's Sunday, I wanted to rest.
— You should not have joined the elite group. — Jin opens his eyes wider, clearly surprised that she already knows. — Don't look at me like that. I have a friend who tells me everything about you.
It's impossible for an ordinary student to know about his joining the group, but she suspects that there is a person in the ranks who has contact with Danielle.
— You know this is sick... I don't control your life.
— Because I am faithful to you. You don't have to. — She shrugs her shoulders, and he sighs loudly because he lacks the words to make her realize how crazy she is.
— Why did you come to Horace Mann so early in the morning? — he asks her, looking around the empty courtyard. He regrets taking Danielle's call and letting her drag him out of bed, but he suspects she wouldn't give him a break until he gave in to her. He's a stubborn type. — Something to do with his mother again?
— In a way, yes. I couldn't sleep all night. I got up at six and left the house, so I wouldn't meet her. I'm up to my nose in that viper. Every day it poisons me with its venom, and I am slowly dying out....
Jin sighs loudly once again and puts his arm around her. The girl takes advantage of this and, smiling happily, leans her cheek against his shoulder.
— You can't live like this, Danielle....
— I told you that this babe will finish me off when you leave home. Should I just pack my things and run away?
— Danielle! — He raises his voice at her, and she pushes his face away and looks at him with loving eyes. — Stop talking nonsense. What kind of escape? And what next? How will you live?
— If you feed me, then I can manage.
The 16-year-old slaps her forehead with the palm of his hand, telling her to come back to her senses.
— Try to speak again in my presence about running away from home, and I will completely break contact with you. I do not tolerate such immature behavior, so you will cease to exist for me — he speaks sharply, at which she wrinkles her eyebrows.
— I like this specific concern of yours for me, but don't think to yourself that you will break contact with me so easily, and if we are talking about immature behavior.... — This time Danielle puts her arm around him. — I heard that the elite group is engaged in bullying weaker students. You chastise me for inappropriate behavior, and you yourself are no better — she says with reproach in her voice.
Jin rolls his eyes.
— Do you think I joined there to oppress people?
— Then why did you join there?
— To make life miserable for the school chairman, who is the head of this group. I intend to destroy this grand fatherhood, and most of all her, since she considers herself the navel of the world. Damn annoying chick.
— I think I would quickly find common ground with her.
The teenager pulls Danielle's hand away.
— You have something to brag about.... although I won't deny it. At times, you are also terribly annoying.
The 14-year-old embraces his face and squeezes his cheeks.
— Every day I adore you more and more. Can I stay here with you all day?
— In your dreams.
The boy rises from the bench and, paying no attention to the girl's mayhem, heads toward the entrance of the school.
— You tease me because you worship me beyond life! — shouts the fourteen-year-old, which brings a smile to his face. — I know it, you know it, even the neighbor's dog knows it!
— Yes, yes. The whole world knows it, Danielle, the whole world — he says, shaking his head. — You are right. You are annoying, but also unique. You are impossible not to like, stubborn girl.